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Ulster American Folk Park tells the story of emigration from Ulster to
America in the 18th and 19th centuries, with costumed demonstrators
going about their everyday tasks in
authentically furnished Old and New World buildings. The
Ship and Dockside Gallery features a full-size reconstruction of an
early 19th century sailing ship of the type which carried thousands of
emigrants across the Atlantic and a major indoor exhibition 'Emigrants'
complements the outdoor site.
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From the north eastern end of County Tyrone near Strabane through
towards the A6 in County Derry run the Sperrin Mountains, a 40 mile
wide range of undulating bog and heather covered hills. Wildlife
including buzzards, kestrels and sparrowhawks can be seen, attracted by
the rich menu of prey which includes the rare Irish Hare. The Sperrin Heritage Centre features interactive
displays to involve visitors in the rich culture and history of the
area. You can even rent a pan to try “panning for gold in the Sperrins’
streams.
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Picturesque Benburb is set in the lush rolling
hills of southeast Tyrone. The tiny cottages on Main Street were once
apple peeling sheds, and the parish church, dating from 1618, is one of
the oldest still in regular use in Ireland. Some
excellent walks can be had along serpentine trails next to the
Blackwater River in Benburb Valley Park. The river has hewn a beautiful
gorge across the countryside and is an ideal location for canoeing,
fishing and walking. Perched on a rock thirty metres or so above the
water are the remains of a castle built in
1615, which offer commanding views of the Blackwater Valley.
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An Creagán Visitor Centre's circular design mirrors that of nearby
archaeological sites and gives you the opportunity to
explore the area and its history. The centre houses an interpretative exhibition and offers
archaeological, environmental and cultural guided tours. An Creagan
also explores the rare raised bog terrain all around, with signposted
rambling and cycling routes all over the countryside. Facilities also include a licensed restaurant, bar, craft shop, children's play area and eight traditional
self-catering holiday cottages.
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Tyrone is peppered with thousands of archaeological sites, and the
most impressive are the Bronze Age Beaghmore Stone Circles, in the
southeast of the Sperrin Mountains. There are
seven stone circles, ten stone rows and a dozen round cairns, some containing human remains. All of the circles stand in
pairs, except for one, which is filled with over eight hundred upright
stones known as Dragon's Teeth. The alignments
correlate to the movements of the sun, moon and stars, and two of the
rows point to sunrise in the summer.
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Lough Neagh Discovery Centre is situated within the surroundings
of Oxford Island National Nature Reserve. The Loughside Café offers
outstanding views of Lough Neagh from the ground and mezzanine floors
and serves a wide choice of good quality food. A Tourist Information
Office is located at Reception. Boat trips are available from Kinnego Marina, which also provides watercraft and shore based
courses.
Game angling is available around the Lough mainly on the tributary
rivers, with main species including the wild Dollaghan (Lough Neagh Trout)
and Salmon.
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The forty mile wide Sperrin Moutain range is rich in wildlife and
is an excellent target for determined, lonesome walking. For
those not equipped for the high ground, the Glenelly and Owenkillen
river valleys run through the heart of this fine countryside from
Plumbridge and Gortin respectively. The Central
Sperrins Way is a twenty five mile waymarked trail that takes in a
variety of countryside with spectacular views of the mountains,
moorland and Glenelly Valley. A Sperrins Walking Festival is held at the beginning of August and involves various daily guided walks, graded according to difficulty.
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Wellbrook Beetling Mill is an eighteenth century water powered linen mill and is the last working beetling mill in Northern Ireland.
'Beetling' was the last stage of production whereby linen was given a
sheen and smoothness by hammering with heavy wooden 'beetles'. See the hands-on demonstrations of the linen
process, led by costumed guides. The Mill is situated in an idyllic
wooded glen and there are lovely walks and picnic opportunities by the
Ballinderry River.
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The Clogher Valley Scenic Drive runs for about 25 miles in a loop either side
of the A4, but the southerly section is easily the more enjoyable and
takes you into the most isolated part of country outside the Sperrins. From Fivemiletowm head south, and once you've
picked up the first sign you'll find yourself on narrow woodland lanes
gradually ascending towards Slieve Beagh. As the route enters
moorland, you traverse the Ulster Way, and the whole valley can be
surveyed from the car park viewpoint before you descend into Fardross
Forest...
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Crystal has been made in County Tyrone since 1771 and today, the
craftsmen at Tyrone Crystal Factory are breathing new life into the art
of crystal making by fusing traditional techniques with innovative
design. Visitors are escorted on a tour of the factory and get the unique opportunity to watch master craftsmen at work,
making everything from chandeliers to lamps and glasses. See the blowing, marking, cutting, and finishing
stages of this fine crystal. A restaurant and audio-visual presentation
are also available.
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